UW MEDICINE | NEONATOLOGY FAMILY OVERVIEW
NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE AT UW MEDICINE
Every parent wants their baby to be born healthy. We know how scary
it can be when your baby is born too early or needs extra medical care
after birth. For more than 50 years, the skilled and caring professionals
at UW Medicine have been providing the highest level of care for
even the most fragile newborns and their families. We are a leader in
pioneering care that has helped newborns across the United States.
We were also the first health system in the region to open a neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU) at UW Medical Center.
There are four levels of care that hospitals in Washington can provide
to newborns and UW Medicine is proud to offer the two highest levels
of care (levels III and IV) in our NICUs. This means our hospitals are
able to care for even the tiniest and most critically ill newborns, giving
worried parents peace of mind.
The Level IV NICU at UW Medical Center is one of the largest
in the Pacific Northwest, with 39 single rooms and four rooms for
multiples. The Level III NICU at Valley Medical Center is the only
Level III NICU between Seattle and Tacoma, and can care for up to
30 newborns.
Our NICUs offer rooms with parent sleep space, so you can stay close
to your baby, family lounges, parent mentor and sibling programs, and
physical therapy and speech services for babies who need them. The
providers in the NICU also work in partnership with specialists at
Seattle Children’s Hospital to care for newborns with more complicated
medical needs.
(over)
i
“You are in the right place, this is the right place for your baby.”
–NICU patient’s family
Why do babies need the NICU?
The most common reason is being born premature, before
37 weeks of gestation. Nearly one out of every 10 infants
in the United States is born too early and requires special
medical care and attention. However, even a full-term
baby may need to be admitted to the NICU for extra care.
Whatever the reason, our NICU providers are experienced
in caring for all infants, no matter how small or ill.
Care Team
Our NICU teams bring together experts to focus on
your baby’s unique needs. At the head of each team
is a neonatologist, a doctor with specialized training
in treating newborns’ medical problems. They work
closely with neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), skilled
nurses, physical therapists, respiratory care practitioners,
pharmacists, nutritionists and others to give every baby
the care it needs.
At UW Medicine, we recognize that parents are the most
important people in their newborn’s life. And while we
will always provide the most advanced and expert care
available, only parents can provide the love their baby
needs. Our team works with parents to plan each baby’s
care. We will be there every step of the way, teaching and
supporting you as you make this journey with your baby.
Locations
UW Medical Center: Level IV NICU
Mountlake Tower, 4th Floor
1959 N.E. Pacific St.
Seattle, WA 98195
Valley Medical Center: Level III NICU
2nd Floor
400 S. 43rd St.
Renton, WA 98055
UW Medicine Neonatology | uwmedicine.org/nicu Rev 04/17